Recap by phillip woo

Smart Beauty quickened late through a gap to get up in the dying stages after settling last from gate 13 for a maiden win at his 20th start. He had been promising to do that all season long. Diamond Diamond ran on nicely to finish a close second after a one-off trip from behind midfield. He's made a good impression in back-to-back runs following a downgrade. Well-backed late Charmander was touched off late after shooting to the front near the 200m following a two-to-three wide run from midfield. He was able to build on an improved effort last start over 1,400m. Brother Pearl ran on well down the outside for fourth after settling second last and one off the fence from gate 10. He doesn't appear from four of his past five runs. Arthur's Kingdom ran on reasonably well near the outside to finish next best after biding his time four from the rear. He might not be far off a bottom. Star Of Glory faded 150m out after working hard three wide near the speed. Starship Eighty ran on without threatening towards the inside travelling three from the back. He failed to figure off a fourth-place effort four days ago on the dirt.

Racing Incident Report

Race Two : (370) - LUNG YAT HANDICAP - Class 5 - 1600Meters

Horse No 1 STARSHIP EIGHTY (H022) A Badel Jumped only fairly.

When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight, A Badel stated that soon after entering the Home Straight his mount became one-paced and did not respond immediately to his riding.

He said whilst he observed FASTPASS and STAR OF GLORY were in advance of him, he elected to shift his mount out with a view to following ONE HEART ONE into the event as he felt it was a fancied runner that would provide him with a trail into the race.

He said when ONE HEART ONE almost fell approaching the 300 Metres, he was obliged to steady away from that runner's heels and shift to the inside to continue into clear running.

He added near the 50 Metres he was briefly held up when he shifted to the inside of STAR OF GLORY to secure clear running after which STARSHIP EIGHTY continued to finish the race off well.

Horse No 2 DIAMOND DIAMOND (H189) L Hewitson Jumped awkwardly and lost ground.

Near the 100 Metres made contact with SMART BEAUTY which shifted out slightly.

Sent for sampling post-race.

Horse No 5 CHARMANDER (G437) Z Purton Raced wide and without cover in the middle stages.

At the winning post SMART BEAUTY shifted in and brushed CHARMANDER.

When questioned, Z Purton stated that Trainer J Richards had asked him to hold a more forward position on his mount today to encourage it to race in a more competitive manner.

Mr Richards confirmed the instructions and said he issued such instructions on the basis that CHARMANDER had performed well in a barrier trial on 19 January 2024 when ridden in a forward position.

Horse No 6 ONE HEART ONE (H004) H Bowman Jumped only fairly and then was crowded shortly after the start.

H Bowman pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding [Rule 100(1)] in that near the 300 Metres he permitted his mount to shift out when positioned too close to the heels of CHARMANDER, resulting in ONE HEART ONE striking the heels of CHARMANDER, blundering and almost falling and H Bowman being dislodged and resulting in SMART BEAUTY and BRILLIANT PIONEER, which were following, being checked and STARSHIP EIGHTY, which was positioned to the inside of ONE HEART ONE, being steadied to avoid that horse.

H Bowman was suspended from riding in races for three Hong Kong racedays and was fined a sum of $60,000.

The Stewards determined that the racemeetings upon which Jockey Bowman will serve this suspension will not be finalised until the conclusion of an appeal to be conducted in relation to a careless riding charge from Wednesday, 24 January 2024.

H Bowman was subsequently examined by the Chief Medical Officer and passed fit to fulfil his remaining race riding engagements .After the race, it was reported that ONE HEART ONE had sustained injuries to both front legs.

Samples were taken from the horse.

Horse No 7 ARTHUR'S KINGDOM (E194) M F Poon When questioned regarding his riding in the Home Straight, M F Poon stated that his mount hung in and proved difficult to ride out.

He said near the 250 Metres when BROTHER PEARL improved to his outside, ARTHUR'S KINGDOM continued to hang in and then became awkwardly placed on the heels of DIAMOND DIAMOND near the 150 Metres where he was obliged to check away from the heels of that runner.

He added that near the 100 Metres he was able to secure clear running between BROTHER PEARL and DIAMOND DIAMOND where his mount finished the race off reasonably well.

Horse No 8 ANGELS HUNTER (G193) M Chadwick Bumped on jumping.

Horse No 9 BRILLIANT PIONEER (G255) H Bentley Checked near the 300 Metres.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 10 BROTHER PEARL (H030) L Ferraris From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

In the early stages raced keenly.

Horse No 11 GENERAL WINNER (E376) A Hamelin After the 400 Metres became held up for clear running between EAGLE RUN and HAPPY HUNK and did not obtain clear running until near the 150 Metres.

A veterinary inspection immediately following the race did not show any significant findings.

Horse No 14 SMART BEAUTY (G477) Y L Chung From a wide barrier was shifted across behind runners in the early stages.

Checked near the 300 Metres.

Sent for sampling post-race.